East Lyme Harbor Management/Shellfish Commission
7:30 PM, East Lyme Town Hall
108 Pennsylvania Ave.,
Niantic, CT 06357
Present: Secretary Marvin Schutt, Treasurer Steven Dinsmore, Bill Mountzoures, Barbara Johnston, Frank Skewes
Absent: Don Landers, Greg Murin
Also present: Robert Russell (200 Niantic River Rd.), Rose Marie Russell (200 Niantic River Rd.), Arnold Orde (34 Prospect Avenue, Niantic), Ex-officio Kent Sistare
1. Call to Order
Mr. Schutt opened the Regular Meeting at 7:30 PM.
2. Approval of Minutes of Public Hearing and Regular Meeting of October 16, 2007
MOTION 1: A motion to approve the minutes of the Public Hearing on October 16, 2007 as amended was made by Mr. Skewes, seconded by Mrs. Johnston. Motion carried (5-0).
Amendments: Delete Mr. Mountzoures from the absent list and add his name to the list of members present
MOTION 2: A motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 16, 2007 was made by Mr. Mountzoures, seconded by Mrs. Johnston. Motion carried (5-0).
3. Public Delegations
Arnold Orde reported that he is having troubles with mooring permits in Waterford. As this issue was out of the control of the East Lyme Harbor Management/Shellfish Commission, the Commission advised him to take up the issue at the Waterford meeting.
No new information.
Mr. Dinsmore reported that he attended a meeting at the Sound School; they discussed prices of mooring permits, and are trying to secure additional funds for harbormasters.
Shellfishing in Niantic River closed because of the I-95 accident, but diesel fuel would float and should not affect shellfish beds; however, a report needs to address the fin fish.
Mr. Dinsmore found that the Lease adheres to the Shellfish Management Plan, and Beth Hogan approved the Lease. Acting chairman Scutt asked the applicants if there were any final questions or comments on the Lease. Mrs. Johnston made the point however, that the public hearing was closed and discussion of the Lease should not continue. Further discussion ensued, after which the following motion was made.
MOTION 3: Mr. Skewes made a motion to change the wording of the lease in Paragraph 7 to include that “clamming operations (except for relay) shall”. Mr. Dinsmore seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-1). Mrs. Johnston voted no.
MOTION 4: A motion to authorize Chairman Landers to execute the lease agreement was made by Mr. Skewes and seconded by Mr. Dinsmore. Motion carried (4-1). Mrs. Johnston voted no.
Mrs. Johnston requested the following comments by her be on the record; that there was nothing in the lease about eelgrass. Mr. Skewes found the clause in paragraph 7B, however. Mrs. Johnston had asked for two separate leases but there was only one. She also requested a map or survey to make sure that there is no eelgrass. She also argued that the lease states clams shells, and mussels, but the letter states only clams, and there was no information on buoys. Her final comment was that an application cannot be filed on land records.
E. Status of Joint Meeting of East Lyme and Waterford Harbor Management and Shellfish Commissions
No new information.
5. New Business
Incoming:
1. Selectmen’s Office (11/20/07) Re: Inauguration of Paul Formica and Swearing in of Elected Officials
2. COP Sandra and Jeffrey Newton, 96 Old Black Point Rd., (10/23/07)
3. COP Lance Johnson, 216 Shore Rd. Waterford, (10/10/07)
4. DEP, Notice of Tentative Determination, Notice of Intent to Waive Public Hearing, Re: Eleanor Mariani, 16 Wilson Ave. Waterford, (10/29/07)
5. CHMA Notice of Annual Meeting and Study on Dredging, (10/22/07)
Mr. Landers received an email about acquiring funding; number of participants and a time frame is still needed.
MOTION 5: A motion was made by Mr. Dinsmore to approve a 2008 Meeting Schedule assuming that each of these dates is the third Tuesday of the month. The motion was seconded by Mr. Skewes. Motion carried (5-0).
6. Reports
Mr. Dinsmore reported that there were three bills totaling $1,175 for warden services. These were the only bills received this month.
MOTION 6: A motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report was made by Mr. Mountzoures and seconded by Mr. Dinsmore. Motion carried (5-0).
D. Ex-Officio Kent Sistare – Mr. Sistare had left the meeting but the Commission appreciates his 30+ years of service to the town of East Lyme and his service to the Harbor Management/Shellfish Commission. The Commission wishes him well.
7. Comments from other Commission Members
Mrs. Johnston inquired about a spread sheet of expenditures.
8. Adjournment
MOTION 7: Mr. Mountzoures moved the meeting be adjourned at 8:45 PM, seconded by Mrs. Johnston. Motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Cunningham